December 21, 2006

On the other hand, A Passing That I Don't Mourn

The nutjob authoritarian president of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov has died without a successor.

From the BBC:

His influence spilled over into every sphere of Turkmen life. Even the months and days of the week were named after himself and his family.

He later declared a ban on young men wearing beards and long hair.

Opera, ballet, listening to car radios and the playing of recorded music on television and at public events was forbidden.

His book, the Ruhnama - a collection of his thoughts on Turkmen identity, history and destiny - was put on the curriculum of schools and universities.

President Niyazov was accused of spending more money on his grandiose projects - such as a huge man-made lake in the Kara Kum desert, and an ice palace in the capital Ashgabat - than on social welfare.

1 Comments:

Blogger VMM said...

Perhaps he will be succeeded by his toupee.

December 21, 2006 at 10:09 AM  

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